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Accessible Summary: In the past 30 years, many people with (intellectual) learning disabilities have been moved out of large "institutions" and into their own home in their local communityThese people are now often between 30 and 50 years oldWe asked people with learning disabilities aged between 30 and 50 and who are living in their local community what things, including work, that they enjoyed doingWe asked people with learning disabilities aged between 30 and 50 and who are living in their local community whether they felt that they could make decisions about their lifeWe found out the things that make their life good, and also what might stop people enjoying their lifeWe learnt that people with learning disabilities should receive more support to assist them before they retireWe learnt that people with learning disabilities still need more support and choice around who they live with Background: This study investigated perceived quality of life (QoL) of community‐dwelling middle‐aged adults (30–50 years) with an intellectual disability and/or developmental disability living in rural or urban areas in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. The specific aim of the current paper was to provide a descriptive evidence base of QoL and its specific domains by various key demographic characteristics of middle‐aged individuals. This cohort is likely to have either experienced or reached adulthood during and after large‐scale deinstitutionalisation in Australia. Methods and procedures: A cross‐sectional design was utilised, based on the QoL‐Q survey, testing domains of satisfaction; Competence/Productivity; Empowerment/Independence; and social belonging/community integration. The survey included demographic questions and was distributed to participants through disability support agencies across two states. The final sample included 291 respondents. Results: The overall QoL‐Q scores ranged from 3.0 to 29.5 (Mean = 20.4, SD, 4.1), with considerable variation in mean scores both across and within domains. The two demographic areas that showed greatest predictive value for QoL were work status and accommodation issues. The loss of agency and control in choice of co‐residents influenced perceived QoL for empowerment and independence domain of QoL‐Q. Conclusions: The findings highlight QoL issues associated with policy decisions and support programmes for middle‐aged adults. The two key recommendations arising from the project are that future planning for post‐retirement or reduced working hours needs to commence at a much younger age than currently expected, and more attention needs to focus on facilitating individual decision‐making and choice within shared accommodation options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible summary: Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a therapy to help people manage their feelings.We ran a DBT group for people with an intellectual disability. The group seemed to help people feel better and manage their feelings, even after the group ended.The group was 2 years ago. We talked to three people who went to the group to see what people still remembered from the group and if DBT was still helping them.We think having a top‐up session might help people to remember and practise ideas from the group. Background: This paper reports quantitative and qualitative follow‐up data from three participants who attended a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) group for people with an intellectual disability. Materials and Methods: Quantitative data regarding psychological well‐being, psychological distress (measured using the Psychological Therapies Outcome Scales; PTOS) and quality of life (measured using the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales—Learning Disability; HONOS‐LD) are reported for pre‐group, post‐group and at 6‐month and 2‐year follow‐up. Interviews were conducted with participants post‐group and at 2‐year follow‐up. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Improvements in scores on measures of psychological well‐being, psychological distress and quality of life appear to be maintained at 6‐month follow‐up, but scores at 2‐year follow‐up suggest a return to baseline. Qualitative self‐report data suggest a number of interesting ways participants adapted and individualised techniques from the group, as well as suggesting possible barriers to maintaining change in the longer term. Conclusions: Clinical implications are considered to improve effectiveness of similar interventions, as well research implications in order to improve knowledge about the longer term impact of group DBT interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]